How to vaccinate a dog yourself

Vaccinating your dog at home can be a convenient approach to guarantee their health, particularly in cases where you lead a hectic life. Prior to starting, it is imperative that you comprehend the fundamentals of dog vaccinations. It’s critical to understand which vaccinations are required and when to receive them.

While many pet owners opt to have their pets vaccinated by a veterinarian, some might find it more convenient to administer the shots themselves. You can safely administer vaccinations at home if you have the necessary information and are prepared. You will be guided through every step of the process by this guide, which includes selecting the appropriate vaccinations and learning how to give them.

In addition to saving time, you can strengthen your relationship with your dog by managing its vaccinations. Let’s get started and provide you with the resources you need to have a successful at-home vaccination experience.

Step	Description
1	Gather materials: vaccine, syringe, and disinfectant.
2	Choose a safe, quiet location for the vaccination.
3	Prepare the vaccine according to the instructions.
4	Clean the injection site on the dog"s skin.
5	Inject the vaccine quickly and confidently.
6	Dispose of the syringe safely after use.
7	Monitor your dog for any reactions.

Vaccination schedule

Immunizations are administered in accordance with a set timetable.

Table 1: Suggested dog vaccination schedule

8-9 weeks	Vaccination against canine distemper, parvovirus enteritis, infectious hepatitis, adenovirus infection, parainfluenza, leptospirosis.
12 weeks	Revaccination against plague of carnivores, parvovirus enteritis, infectious hepatitis, adenovirus infection, parainfluenza, leptospirosis, rabies.
After a change of teeth	Vaccination against the plague of carnivorous, parvovirus enteritis, infectious hepatitis, adenovirus infection, paragraph, leptospirosis, rabies.
1 year	Vaccination against the plague of carnivorous, parvovirus enteritis, infectious hepatitis, adenovirus infection, paragraph, leptospirosis, rabies.
Annually	Revaccination (plague of carnivorous, parvovirus enteritis, infectious hepatitis, adenovirus infection, paragraph, leptospirosis, rabies).

Take note! Certain manufacturers manufacture vaccines that provide a three-year guarantee against viruses and infections. They are therefore only introduced once every three years.

Immunizations are administered in accordance with specific visuals.

Dogs in Russia receive vaccinations against the tracheobronchita (CS) pathogens boredellais and borreliosis. Based on data regarding the epidemiological situation in the area, the physician determines if they are necessary.

The most prevalent and hazardous illnesses that dogs can contract

The fact that the veterinary passport and specialized registers do not reflect the fact that the vaccination was administered at home is a drawback. Consequently, a veterinary clinic performs the procedure if the animal in question is one that will travel or participate in exhibitions. Previously, only state clinics were authorized by law to provide rabies vaccinations. These days, private veterinary clinics have the same authority.

The vaccination’s ability to shield a dog from lichen has not been established.

Dogs are also vaccinated against lichen, coronavirus, and parasitic invasions. However, their efficacy is either questionable or lacking.

Take note! Keep the medication’s name and manufacturer in mind when selecting one. Veterinarians advise giving an animal the same vaccination all of its life.

Vaccines

• Nobivac;
• Duramun;
• Eurikan;
• Biovak;
• Dipentavac;
• Asterion;
• Multican and others.

In essence, these are complicated products that include pathogens that cause serious infections, including the rabies virus. Among the latter are Multikan-8 and Asterion DHPPiR.

Take note! Not every vaccine from home is accepted overseas. Therefore, if a trip with an animal is planned, it is necessary to speak with a veterinarian about the medication.

Interpreting the product names by decoding their letter values

Vaccines are both inactivated and live. Not all experts employ inactivated goods. Some doctors claim that because they offer less immune protection, "live" formulations should be preferred.

How the vaccine is administered

It is preferable to get vaccinated early on a day off. This enables day-to-day observation of the dog’s condition.

In our post, you can find out where it’s best to vaccinate a dog, how to get ready for a vaccination, and what to do if problems occur.

• subcutaneously – withers area;
• intramuscularly – thigh area.

Withers area is the injection site.

• treat the injection site (if necessary, cut it with scissors);
• wipe the injection site with medical alcohol;
• immobilize the animal with a special bag, towel, or ask another family member to hold it;
• if the injection is given in the withers, gather a fold of skin on this part, into the base of which the needle is inserted;
• pour in the drug;
• remove the syringe;
• wipe the injection site with alcohol.

Certain drug instructions require massaging the injection site. Consult the manufacturer’s instructions for more detailed instructions on the regulations and administration procedure.

Vaccines administered intranasally, such as Nobivac KS, are inserted into the nostril. The medication is then injected into the nasal cavity.

Video – How to administer a vaccine

• vials or caps are damaged;
• the expiration date of the product has expired;
• the liquid or powder looks different from the description in the instructions.

Personal safety measures

If a vaccine gets on the body, it should be cleaned off with lots of running water. In the event that a person is unintentionally injected with a veterinary medication, call a doctor right away. Present the vaccine’s factory bottle to the specialist.

Wash the preparation off with lots of running water if it gets on your skin.

Place the preparations somewhere that kids can’t get to. To keep other animals or people from getting access to the containers and used syringes, dispose of the product right away after using it.

First vaccination

1. Anthelmintic drug – 2 times with an interval of 2 weeks.
2. First vaccination – after 1.5-2 weeks of the second dose of the anthelmintic drug.
3. Second vaccination – 3 weeks after the first.

Take note! Use the same preparation, quantity, and strain composition for the vaccination once more. The pet’s health could be in danger if a different preparation is used.

Contraindications to vaccination

Dogs receive their vaccinations when they are well. This is critical because vaccination strains the immune system. Antibodies must be produced in full by the body in response to the substance.

• infection with worms;
• illness, including those transferred shortly before;
• exhaustion;
• Changing teeth in a puppy.

Additionally, scheduling the vaccination’s introduction for two weeks prior to and following the stopping procedure is not feasible.

Take note! Worms need to be removed from the body. Dogs receive vaccinations two weeks prior to receiving them. The medication is completely ineffective when parasites are present.

Expulsion of parasites precedes immunization

The prior vaccination is another contraindication. The following can only be completed after a period of three weeks.

The procedure is postponed if the owner notices concerning symptoms, digestive issues, or behavioral changes on the day of the vaccination or within a few days of it.

Quarantine at the puppy

It is not advised to vaccinate the puppy you just purchased right away. Within two to three weeks, he must be placed in quarantine to monitor his health and undergo veterinary examination. There is a chance of infection if this is not done. An animal that is already infected may die after receiving a vaccination.

Pregnancy and feeding

It is advised to vaccinate a dog prior to becoming pregnant. It is feasible for vaccine ingredients to cross the placenta and result in birth abnormalities or fetal death. It is advised to only use veterinarian-selected inactivated medications if such a measure is required.

Vaccinating a nursing bitch to protect their offspring is a ridiculous idea. For puppies to develop passive immunity, the mother’s body needs to start producing antibodies. This requires that at least a week have gone by since the procedure. Colostrum is used to extract antibodies from the mother during the first 36 hours of the child’s life.

It is preferable to vaccinate a bitch prior to becoming pregnant.

Vaccinating your dog at home can be a simple procedure that gives pet owners the ability to manage their animal’s health. To keep your pet safe and healthy, this article will walk you through the necessary steps, which include knowing the different types of vaccines, how to administer them properly, and taking safety measures.

Features of vaccination of puppies

When a mother receives her vaccinations on time, her breastfed puppies develop passive immunity from her. Through her milk, the female transmits antibodies against infections to her pups. The mother’s lactation quality determines when the child should receive their first vaccination. In the event that there are few puppies, vaccinations must be administered no earlier than 10 weeks. The foundation for vaccination at a younger age is the early introduction of complementary foods and a large litter.

The mother’s vaccination provides passive immunity to the puppies.

Monitoring the dog"s condition

For two weeks following vaccination, the animal’s condition must be observed.

A certain amount of malaise is accepted as normal.

• A lump or seal at the site where the drug was injected. The formation resolves within a month. If the lump increases in size, then this is a reason to consult a doctor.
• Vomition, diarrhea, refusal to eat, if these phenomena were recorded once.
• Pain at the injection site.
• Lethargy, fever up to 39 °C.

Complications from vaccination

• loose stools and vomiting after the administration of the drug were observed 2 or more times;
• the dog has missed more than one meal;
• temperature above 39 °C;
• cramps, salivation;
• mucous membranes turn pale;
• swelling is noticeable;
• breathing becomes difficult and rapid.

A persistent refusal to eat warrants attention.

Many things can cause a painful response. One of them is a vaccine of low quality.

Allergy to the drug

• behavior is disturbed – the animal becomes too excited or depressed;
• head temperature rises;
• the dog may suddenly relieve itself;
• the muzzle swells – eyes, nose, ears;
• saliva is produced abundantly;
• lacrimation or discharge from the nose appears.

Following drug administration, an acute allergic reaction could occur.

You should be ready for this kind of response at all times. As a result, it is wise to consult the veterinarian about the best medication to use in these situations as well as the appropriate dosage. Adrenalin, Suprastin, or Tavegil solutions are used for severe allergies. Dexamethasone is advised in cases of anaphylactic shock; the animal should then be brought immediately to the veterinarian.

Video — Complication in a kitten after vaccination

The solution is given fractionally—first a tiny dose, then the remaining medication in the syringe—to avoid an allergic reaction. The intensity of the reaction then lessens as a result of the antibodies attaching to a smaller amount of the solution.

Quarantine after vaccination

The dog is quarantined for ten to fourteen days following vaccination in order to build up a robust immune system. Walks are not neglected. However, their duration is kept to a minimum to avoid hypothermia, particularly in inclement weather. One tries to avoid interactions with other animals, especially stray animals. There is also less physical activity.

During quarantine, you shouldn’t refuse to go for a walk.

How to store the vaccine

You have to ask the pharmacy seller for instructions when purchasing a medication. There are the ideal storage conditions listed.

Take note! Whether the guidelines are followed will determine how effective the process is. A vaccine that was not kept within the recommended temperature range is not fit for use.

The majority of these goods are kept in storage between 2 and 8 °C. It is forbidden to freeze ampoules because doing so loses their properties in the same way that heating does. Use special termocontal bags to deliver the medication from a veterinary pharmacy to a patient’s home. These products are available for purchase. A few drugstores loan out bags on bond. A bottle of frozen water, some "dry ice," ice cream, and other refrigerant are placed inside to ensure the drug’s preservation.

Use specific bags and containers for delivery.

A subpar vaccination is invariably harmful. In the "best" scenario, it will prove to be inert water with no medicinal value. The animal won’t be harmed by this, but its body won’t become immune to infections. In the worst situation, an allergic reaction could result in fatality.

If you take the proper precautions and adhere to the guidelines, vaccinating your dog at home can be an easy procedure. To avoid any errors, always make sure you have the required immunizations and supplies on hand. You should also carefully read the instructions.

It’s important to provide your dog with a peaceful environment when receiving a vaccination. This makes the experience go more smoothly by lowering stress levels for both you and your pet. Never be afraid to ask a veterinarian for guidance or help if you’re unsure.

Following vaccination, keep an eye out for any indications of a dog’s negative reaction. Mild sedation or a small amount of swelling at the injection site are common side effects. Get in touch with your veterinarian right away if you notice anything strange.

You can contribute to safeguarding your dog’s health and wellbeing by taking the time to properly prepare and educate yourself. For your pet to live a happy, healthy life and to avoid serious illnesses, regular vaccinations are necessary.

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